Woman fought off sex attacker in town centre

A WOMAN was sexually assaulted by a man who then followed her when she fought him off.

The 47-year-old victim was walking her dog through Hastings town centre when she was approached by a man who tried to persuade her to perform sexual acts with him at around 11pm on Thursday, June 20.

The woman told the man to leave her alone but instead the man accompanied her along Queens Road before sexually assaulting her in Wellington Square.

She kneed him in the groin to fight him off but was then followed by the man for a short time towards Stonefield Road.

The victim managed to get to her vehicle and drove away.

The man is described as having a deep tan and being of medium build, 5’7” to 5’8”, in his early 20s with short dark hair.

He was wearing a red hoody, dark grey trousers and flip flops.

Detective constable Mike Pearson, of East Sussex CID, said: “This was a very distressing ordeal for the victim which did not end for her even after she fought off her attacker.

“This area of the town was still quite busy at the time and I’m keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the man and woman in Queens Road, who saw the assault or may have watched the man following his victim afterwards.

“I’d also like to speak to anyone who may have been approached by a man behaving in an overtly sexual manner, in that area, around that time.”